Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-18
THE FASHIONS.
WHAT TO WEAR AND HOW TO WEAR
IT
The Latest styles in New York--wrsps-
Vests on Street Dresses
Notes.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Di.patch.l

Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
New YORK, December IL, 1887.
During the late fall and winter months
ones wrappings usually veil the splendor
of the most expensive and elaborate
walking dress, and for this reason the
handsome street costumes now worn
would appear to be errors in domestic
economy.
Such, however, is not the case. I'm
less ladies are ultra-fashionable their or
binary outdoor dresses are used as visit
ing costumes on all occasions. The
shortest afternoon call affords some OPP
portunity for the display Of ones raj
ment, so rich street dress is justified.
Some such robes now seen are much
more elaborate than was the style during
last winter, and plainness is losing favor.
MOire. fabric which has taken the
place occupied all last year by the more
pleasing Jdiile franchise, is the leading
material for all elegant promenade
gowns. 1t is used for the skirt and
trimmings, rarely for the basque, and
may be combined with any of the finer
grade materials in vogue. On some street
dresses the familiar plastron again makes
its appearance, being generally OF di-
minutive size. Velvet forms its invari-
able material.
One costume, upon which a narrow v
shaped plastron was not out of place,
was in faint terra-cotta shade of fine
woollen goods. The short basque was
trimmed with dark-red velvet (the plas-
tron being of that shade) and had n
beautifully-ftted position back. Below
the front drapery was of the same mate
rial as the basque. falling from beneath
the back folds somewhere below the
right hip. Tn. skirt had narrow side
breadth OF the same velvet as that used
in trimming the basque. Around the
front it wos deeply bordered with black
fox fur.
This fashion of combining black fur
with the lighter shades is pleasing and
very popular one. Many of the long
cloth wraps seen are of red or gobeIin-
blue, bordered with the sable-colored
furs.
Vests on street dresses do not often
extend all the way down the front OF
the basque. They are usually short v
shaped arrangements, velvet or plush, and
frequently without revers. The basque
is steadily becoming rounder in front
and, if anything, shorter behind ; the
drapery alone on street costumes re-
mains almost stationary and changes not.
In choosing O hat or bonnet for wear
with outdoor costume one need not
consult the dress very much in deciding
upon make or trimming. The leading
color of the gown, however, should be
noticeably reproduced in the garniture
OF the head-gear. Black alone forms an
exception. Ii your bonnet be OF that
sober hue, it is quite proper, no matter
what you may wear below 1t.
Plain, Embroidered plush wraps are
made very short across the hips, de-
scending in two wide ends on each side
(not in front, observe) to within two
inches of the edge of the skirt. The
sleeves are fitted into the back, but, from
the elbows down, fit pretty closely. The
cuffs, of fur, are close and round the
collar, similar.
The best wrap for young girl from
twelve years to sixteen is long new
market shape, either in plain or checked
material, and made with cape reaching
nearly to the elbows. This cape is faced
on the edges in front with velvet revers,
and the cuffs and collar may be of the
same material if desired. The little
round, polished wood buttons usual to
cloth newmarkets Of all kinds are suita-
bic for this one.
Quaint and pretty are the little dresses
for childrens wear. Some OF them have
/ the old-fashioned gathers on waists and
/ skirts. On such frocKs velvet Jokes,
belts, and borderings are worn, with
edgings in herring-bone stitch of floss
silk on the velvet, in color to contrast
with it. Broad sashes are once more oc-
casionally seen upon the little ones
dresses.
Lingerie is once again becoming
elaborate. Some of the newest giletS for
evening wear, .jabOts and plastrons, are
marvels of delicate beauty. They are OF
lace and ribbon, sometimes mingled with
pdSScDenterie, covered silk or velvet.
Nevertheless, except on evening or re-
ception costumes, one must wear high,
stiff, straight, linen collar; ruchingS are
not countenanced.
Bead trimming is worn more upon
bonnets and wraps than elsewhere at
present. 1t is not quite so common as ii
was a short time since, and when used
upon street or indoor dress it is very
sparingly applied. The collars and cuffs
are sometimes embroidered in beads OF
Jet; epaulets are worn, and two strips on
each side of the skirt complete its use on
most of these costumes on which II
is placed. Bonnet-crowns, however, re-
ceive enough bead passementerie to
make up for its neglect on the gowns.
Braid is much liked for outdoor suits.
The designs worn, although not widely
different in character from those hereto.
fore worn, are more intricate in design.
Tailor-made gowns having lost theil
most severe features, are now being SC
much changed from the original idea
that the present style of frock, so named,
is a mere parody to the plain, masculine
suit that found its way from the sanctums
of British tailors to this side the water.
One never thinks of wearing a tailor
made dress now unless two colors be
used, the darker OF the two being used
in trimmings so extensively as to serious
ly mar the model Of the gown.
q. II. NJ.
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